[nagdu] extremely basic guide dog questions...

[Dan Weiner]

But, in my opinion, a dog is better than a cane though not a cane but
better.
Yes, I know, to avoid the storm of self-righteous cane defenders, of course
I mean it's better for me.

As far as I'm concerned, a cane is a stick, a tree trunk would do as well.
A dog can use it's eye sight and sometimes astonishing judgment to help you
out.
Now, though, I do understand Rebecca's points and they certainly aren't
wrong.
For me it's worth it, though, and I've seen the positive and the negative,
for me the ease of travel and so on outweighs other stuff.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 11:27 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] extremely basic guide dog questions...

I want to say that as great as dogs are, they aren't "cane but better". 
They need to work whereas a cane doesn't care if you use it. 
A cane makes no demands on your time or your emotions. If you break a cane,
you won't care the way you will if/when your dog gets hurt or sick. 

Some people don't like dogs. This may or may not matter to you, but it is
something to be aware of It's fine to say "Love me, love my dog" if it's
just you.  Add spouses or kids to the mix and that gets a little harder. 
Retiring a dog and dealing with the death of a dog are their own levels of
tears and pain.
Dogs require that you work as a functioning team. If you have the
personality to do this, and you have a dog that thrives with you as a
partner, it's beautiful.  If you don't, it is miserable.  It is unlike any
partnership you will have, because the dog is with you so much of the time.
It can be intense because you will depend on the dog for your safety.  I've
found that being a parent is in many ways easier then using a dog, because I
can let other people enjoy my kid without worrying about the impact to my
safety.  I found this impossible with my dogs. 
Also, a dog will never get to the point where it can make itselfa sandwich
or where you can reason with it.  Sounds silly to write, but is useful when
making longterm plans. 

I say all this not to discourage you, just to provide a different
perspective should you want it. 
I say all this so that you and others know that a dog isn't "cane but
better". It is a very different mobility device.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 10:49 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] extremely basic guide dog questions...

Chris,

I don't think my answers will be much different from everyone Else's but,
here you go.  BTW I have trained my own guides, meaning they didn't come
from a program.

A.  When the dog stops sniffing and circling, I lightly touch the dog's
back.  I can tell what's going on by the curve of the dog's back.  I place
my foot near the back end of the dog as a sort of landmark.  When the dog is
done, he moves out of the way and I use a plastic bag to pick up the poo.

B. I have a pretty good idea of when my dog is going to need to go.   I 
try to ask in advance if there is an outdoor trash can around.  If I'm not
sure where a trash can is, I've taken a turn down the next alley to find a
dumpster.  I live in a very small town where walking down random 
alleys is not dangerous.   It is also possible to teach the dog to 
locate a trash can for you.

C.  My current dog will pull over into the grass if he needs to go.

cane vs. dog
A dog can keep a straight line through snow, mud, open areas like a field or
parking lot.  A dog can target specific objects and take you right to them,
like a door, stairs, elevator, counter, Coke machine etc.  A dog can plan a
route well in advance of encountering the actual obstacles.  A dog will stop
or take you around overhead obstacles.  A dog can be patterned to a route
even when it might be difficult for you 
to provide directional cues during the route.   Most dogs will remember 
places you've been and point them out or suggest them in the future.

HTH
Julie

On 7/23/2011 3:22 PM, Chris Harrington wrote:
> Hi!!!
> My name is Chris Harrington, and I've been examining various messages 
> on this list for a couple of weeks now, and find getting a guide dog 
> extremely interesting. I have several basic questions for people who 
> currently own them, and appolagize if my questions are basic. The one 
> I've been wondering about, is um, waste management so to speak... When
your dog takes a crap, A:
> how do you find it to clean it up? B. Ware do you store such materials 
> until you can dispose of them? C. if your dog needs to go, how does he 
> let you know? Also, what all does a dog do that a cane can't?
> Thanks to anyone who can successfully answer my questions!!
> Have a great day, and thank you!!!!!
> Chris Harrington
>
>
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